Emulsion introduction system for electric emulsion breakers



Jan. 22, 1946. Ffn. MAHoNE 2,393,328

I EMULSION INTRODUCTION S-YSTBM FQ'H ELECTRIC EMULS'ION BREAKERS Filed July ze, 1940 z sheets-sheet 1 A TTOQNEKS 1 treating space in iield.

' of the tank for Patented Jan. 22, 1946 v UNITED STATE EMULSION INTRODUCTIQN SYSTEM FO ELECTRIC EMULSION BREAKERS Francis D. Mahone, Long Beach, Calif., assignor to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington, Del., a corporation oi' Delaware Application July 26,1940, serial No. 347,171 s Claims. (01.204-302) My invention relates to electric treaters and, more particularly, to a novel system for distrib- -uting emulsions or other uid to a treating space.

In the electric treatment of emulsions, whether naturally-occurring or artificially formed, it is 5 Aoften desirable to discharge the emulsion as a Often, this' f thin sheet into the treating space. treating space is formed by horizontally-disposed electrodes superimposed to denne an annular which is established an electric It is an object of the present invention to provide `an improved distributor for emulsions or other fluids in which excessive mixing or emulsiiicationis avoided even though the stream is attened into a thin sheet -preparatory to discharge into a treating space, the thickness of this sheet being only a small fraction of an inch.`

'I'his I accomplish by guiding4 the uid or emulsion toward the point of discharge through a passage which gradually decreases in cross-sectional areato accelerate the duid or emulsion preparatory to discharge.

It is another object of the invention to provide a distributor for emulsions or other uids including a pipe means open at one end and va head member extending acrossv this open end, this head memberproviding a tapered portion extending centrallyinto the pipe means to pierce the stream` and eect a desirable spreading thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a distributor for emulsions or other uids in which the'pipe meansis flared adjacent the open end thereof whereby discharge orice is larger than the diameter of the pipe means. This permits discharge ofthe fluid or emulsion at a position closer to the electrodes without danger of shortcircuiting between the distributor and one or both electrodes.

Another object of the. invention. is to provide a variable orifice distributor vwithin a tank and a novel means for varying the lsize of the -oriice from the exterior of the k.

Stilll another object of the invention is'to provide aV distributor in which a resilient force is exerted on one portion of a distributor to control thev throttling action thereof, andto provide an adjustment operable from a position exterior changing4 the amount of the resilient force.

Additional objects of the invention vresido inl the diameter of the 15 f scribed with reference to an electric treater for Further objects and advantages of the inven' tion will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings: f

Figure 1 is a.l vertical sectional view of one form of electric treater illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

' Figure l2 is a vertical sectional view of the distributor shown in Figure 1;

Figure .3 is a fragmentary view indicating an alternative adjustment system for a distributor; and

Figures 4, 5; 6, and 7 are, respectively, vertical sectional Niews of different alternative forms of distributors.

By way of example, the invention will be deartiiicialLv-formed emulsions such as are pro- 'duced in the electrical .process for purifying liquids.` It should be understood, however, that the invention is-appiicable also to the treatment of naturally-occurring emulsions or to other and separation of the emulsion constituents take pipe l1, as controlled by place. yIn the bottom of the tank will be a. body of separated water i3, the upper surface of which is indicated approximately by lthe dotted line Il.'

The water content in the upper zone i2 decreases toward the upper end of the tank so that the puried oil can be withdrawn through a pipe l5, as controlled by a valve I6; the |water content of this being relatively low, often being only a small fraction oi' 1% and usually not exceeding about 3%. Similarly, the separated water is lWithdrawn from thelower portion of the tank through a a valve I8. The valves I6 and I8 are usually throttled to such an extent as to maintain a superatmospheric pressure within the tank `i I.

Suspended from insulators 20 and rods 2| within the tank I i is an upper electrode 22. This electrode may consist of a foraminous-frame 23 with pins 24 depending therefrom to retain in concentric relationship a plurality of rings 25. .The effective portion of the electrode is dened by the lower vedeies of these concentric rings 25. I Similarly, a lower electrode 28 is suspended below the upper electrode 22 to define a treating space 30, this suspension being through rods 3l and insulators 32. The lower electrode 25 may provide concentric rings trode 22, but preferably positioned below the spaces between the rings 25 of the upper electrode. If, in this/construction, a difference in potential is established between the upper and lower electrodes 22 and 28, an electric field will be established in the treating space intense portions of this field will be inclined as indicated by the dotted line 33.

Various other forms of electrodes can be utilized and it is not always essential to insulate both of the electrodes from the tank. In some instances, one of the electrodes can Ibe grounded and the remaining electrode insulated from the tank but, in general, the distributor cf the invention finds particular utility, in combination with a treating space defined between two live electrodes.

High potentials are applied to the electrodes by the electrical system diagrammatically shown in Figure l. This includes transformers 34 and 35 connected in additive relationship, one terminal of eachof the two secondary windings being connected to ground as indicated by the numeral 36. The remaining high-voltage terminal of the transformer 34 is connected by a conductor 31, extending through a bushing 38, to one of the vrods 2l and thus to the upper electrode 22. The

remaining high-voltage terminal of the transformer 35 is connected by a. conductor 39, extending through a bushing 40, to one of the rods 3| and thus to .the lower electrode 23. Such potentials are used as will establish a field in the treating space 30 of sufficient intensity to coalesce the dispersed water droplets and, if the process is used for electric purification, persed impurities into association with the water. Each ci the transformers 34 and 35 may develop a potential of several thousand volts, if desired,

and, in many instances. potentials as high as 33,000 volts have been used with success.`

'I'he invention is particularly concerned withthe manner in which the emulsion is delivered to the annular and outward-extending treating space 30. It has previously been proposed to move similar to the upper elec- 30 and the most to bring the disthis emulsion through an open-ended pipe with a Y flat plate extending across the open end and against which the emulsion impinges preparatory to being discharged outward into the treating space 30. On certain emulsions, diiiiculty has been encountered in treating the emulsion to the extent desired, and I have found that such a distributor tends to emulsify excessively the constituents adjacent the point of discharge into the electric field. On some oils containing relatively large amounts of emulsifying agents or containing even small amounts of a powerful emulsifying agent, the mixing at this point resulting from the use of such a distributor will tend to form an emulsion which is difficult to treat ln the electric In solving this problem, I have used with great success a distributor means, indicated generally by thenumeral 42, which spreads the emulsion before discharge outward into the treating space 30 and decreases the mixing action and the turbulence in the distributor means preparatory to discharge. vAs shown in Figure l, this distributor means 42 is disposed to direct the emulsion outward into the treating space 30 and consistsI of a pipe means 43 extending upward through an opening 44 of the lower electrode 28. This pipe means is fed by a pipe 45 extending to a position outside the tank. If the treater is to be used for elecvable to dispose a the invention,

trically purifying oils of low water content, such oils may be withdrawn from a tank 46 by a pump 41 and delivered to the pipe 45. Water may be withdrawn from a tank 45 and proportioned into the oil stream by a pump 49. Suiilcient mixing may take place at the Junction of the oil and water streams'but, in many instances, it is desirmixing valve 50 in the pipe 45 to mix or emulsify the oil and water additionally. The details of the electrical purification process need not be described in detail asv reference may be had to the patent to Harold C. Eddy, No. 2,182,145, in this connection. Suflice it to say for the purpose of the present application that an emulsion, however formed, moves along the pipe 45 and is discharged radially outward into the treating space 30 by the distributor means 42.

This distributor means 42 is best shown in Figure 2, in which the pipe means 43 is shown as being formed in sections connected by a coupling 52. The upper portion of the pipe means 43' defines a passage 54 and provides a flared portion 55 constituting a lower member of the distributor means 42. The inner surface 56 of this flared portion 55 diverges upward and outward to provide an end wall 51 which, in this embodiment of comprises a seat. Adapted to engage this seat in surface-to-surface contact when no emulsion is being delivered through the pipe means 43 is'an upper or head member 60 providing a tapered portion 6I extending downward into the pipe means 43 to pierce the rising stream of emulsion.` This tapered portion 6| provides a tapered wall 62 for guiding the emulsion outward to a wall 63 opposite the end wall 51. When emulsion is delivered under pressure through the pipe "43, it thus fiows through a tapered passage 64 formed between the walls 56 and 62 so that its velocity gradually increases and its direction of fiow is gradually changed. The upper portion of the tapered passage 64 comprises, or feeds into, an annular discharge orifice 65 formed between the walls 51 and 63 which are spaced slightly from each other by the emulsion flow.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, vthe walls 51 and 63 are substantially parallel but are inclined slightly above the horizontal axis of the treating space 30. yThis horizontal axis is indicated in Figure 2 by the dotted line 66 and the axis of the annular discharge orifice 65 is indicated (greatly exaggerated in inclinationfor purpose of clarity) by the numeral 61. In other words, the emulsion ls preferably discharged toward the field at an angle which is slightly above the horizontal, the direction of initial discharge corresponding to the dotted line 61. This angle of' inclination should not be more than a few degrees. Usually it is in the neighborhood of one degree vbut should never exceed more than three or four degrees.

It has been found that considerably better treatment takes place if the `directiori'cf initial discharge is slightly inclined. While I do not intend to be bound by any theory in this regard, I believe this is due to a lengthened trajectory of the discharged emulsion. Usually, the water content of the material in the electric field is considerably lower than the water content of the incoming emulsion so that the incoming emulsion is of greater density. A Thus, there is a tendency, immediately upon discharge of the thin sheet, for the discharged emulsion stream to drop under gravitational action in the oil environment in the field. Preferably, the direction of initial discharge is inclined so as to .compensate for travel therethrough. If the initial discharge were horizontal, the sheet of emulsion would tend to l droop toward the lower electrode and the stream velocity would decrease rapidly. Measurements of velocity in the Atreating space show considerably higher velocities when the stream is slightly inclined, as mentioned above, this being another factor contributing to better treatment.

The inner surface 56 and the tapered wall 62 are preferably formed of such configuration as to accelerate the emulsion gradually as it flows along the passage 6d, with a minimum of turbulence or eddy formation such as would tend unduly to mix or re-emulsify the oil and water constituents of the stream. In the form shown in Figure 2, this is accomplished by forming' thev major portion of the length of the inner surface 50 and the tapered wall t2 of general parabolic shape, for example in the shape of a parabolic section such as would be generated by turning a parabola about the axis o'i the pipe means I3. Corre-` spondingly, throughout a substantial portion of the length of the passage 84, a planeextending radially from this axis will intersect the inner surface 56 and the tapered wall |52` to form a parabolic curve. In some instances, conic sec tions differing from a parabolic configuration can be used to form the tapered passage 64 if the configuration is such as to gradually accelerateand deect the stream. It is quite important in this connection to use a head member providing a tapered portion extendinginto the pipe means 43 to pierrel the rising stream.

It is desirable to impress on the -head member 60 a resilient force in a downward direction, this force being opposed by the force exerted by the incoming stream. In this manner, the distance across the annular discharge orifice 6'5, while always small. will vary with variations in the amount of emulsion introduced through the pipe 45. In Figure 2, this resilient-action is obtained by a spring 'i0 surrounding a -rod 'II which is slidably mounted in the pipe means A3 by guide the lower end of the rod 1| is pivotally connected The downward resilient force can thus be adiusted from the exterior of the tank I I even while the treater is in operation.

Another way of exerting a downward resilient force on the head member 60, this force .being adjustable from the exterior of the tank, is shown in Figure 3. Here, the spring 10 is eliminated and by a pin -31 toa link -88 extending downward in of a' cross fitting 80 disposed therein, there being a plug 90 which closes one of the openings thereof. In the oppositeopening is disposeda gland means 8| which pivotally retains and acts as a fulcruxn for a lever 92 extending inward and carrying an attachment member S3 which ispivoted to the link I0. The outer end of the lever 92 carries an attachment member 94 pivoted to a link 95 which, in turn. is

Divoted to an attachment member 96 securedto a lever 01 extending to a position outside the tank Il. A gland means 08 adjacent the tank I I serves as a fulcrum and as a sealing means for the lever y $1. The outer portion ofthe lever-91 carries an adjustable weight 99, or is otherwise urged downward by a resilient force. This tends to pivot the lever-,01 in a manner to raise the outer portion of the lever 92, resulting Ain a resilient downward force beingapplied to the head member 60.

The system shown in Figure 3 can be used in conjunction with the distributor means `shown in Figure 2 but has been shown in combination with a distributor means of slightly different configuration in which the upper end of the pipe means' does not flare but extends upward to form the end wall 51 previously described. Theshead member 60 in this embodiment stilll provides a tapered portion il extending downward into the pipe means 43 andis of a configuration best shown at the upperend of Figure 4.

Referring particularly to Figure 4, the lowermost portion of ,the tapered portion 6| is rounded,

as indicated'by the numeral |02, above which the tapered portion 6| is substantially conical for a means comprising spiders 12 and 13 welded or Y otherwise secured at spaced positions in the pas` sage 54.- The spring 10 is compressed between the spider 13 and the lower end of the rod 1|,

which is shown as including a nut 14 appropriately secured thereto as by a cotter pin 15.

The upper end of the rod 1I is shown as extending through the head member '60 to provide -an upper threaded portion 'I1 thereabove.

On this portion is threaded a nut 1 8 separated from the head member 80 by a washer 19 or other means permitting rotation of the nut 1I relative to the head member. y The rod 1| is preferably kept from turning by a key 30 extending into corresponding keyways of the rod and the spider 13. Correspondingly, by turning the nut 18, the rod will be pulled upward'to increase the compression of the spring 10, thus increasing the resilient force tending to move the head member B0 downward.

distance and then flares outward asjindicaied by the numeral |03 to form the end wall 6 3 which 4 'cooperates with the end wall i1 in forming the annular discharge orice c05. In this embodiment, the passage 0I is still tapered and this embodiment can be used where it is not objectionable to accelerate the stream less uniformly than in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. y A

Also in-Figure 4, the rod 1| is journalled in the spiders 'i2 and 13 and thespring 10 is compressed It is desirable to be able to adjust the resilient downward force from a position outside the tank II. In Figure 2', this is accomplished by use of a suitable control means including an adjustment member 0I extending to a position outside the tank Il. This adjustmentv member includes a socket 82 connected to a rod 83 extending upward through a stuiilng boxe to a position outside the tank. A crank 85 or other means can be used for turning the rod 03 'and thus the socket 82.

between the spider 13 and the nut 14. This ernbodiment can be used with or without an adjustment, as previously described.

.-Figure 5 shows the distributor of Figure 2 as Vemployed when no external adjustment is desired.

It diilers primarily from Figure 2 in providing a recess |05 in which is positioned a nut |06 threaded to the rod 1|, a lock nut |01 being used to retain the predetermined adjustment. y

In Figure 6, the distributor means includes a parabolic head member I I0 formed similar to that described with reference to Figure 2, the tapered portion being indicated by the numeral I I. This is disposed in the pipe means 43, the upper end of which is flared in a manner slightly diilerent from that shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the portion 55 is flared at ilrst outward and then returns upward'to form a portion ||2 which ex-l manner as described with reference to Figure 2. I

external ing than does the embodiment shown in Figure 2 but can be used on various emulsions.

The distributor means shown in Figure 7 uses a flared portion i20 ending in an inclined wall I2| forming the end wall 51 previously described. The head member is indicated by the numeral |22 and includes a tapered portion |23 extending downward into the pipe means 43. Thevcurve of this tapered portion may be such as ywould be generated by turning a quadrant of a circle about the axis of the pipe means 43. At the upper extremity of this curve, the member |22 provides an inclined wall IE5 which is inclined downward to form the end wall 63 previously defined.

It will be apparent that any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 7 can be used in conjunction with the resilient and externallyadjustable means of Figures l and 3 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention: l. In combination in an electric treating system for forming and resolving emulsions: a pair of electrodes extending outwardly from an axis and spaced from each other in the direction oi said axis to define an annular treating space; pipe means extending along said axis through one of said electrodes toward the center of said annular treating space, said pipe means being open at that end adjacent said treating space and providing an end wall; means for delivering to said pipe means a' stream comprising oil and water; a head member extending across said open end of said pipe means and cooperating with said end wall in defining an annular discharge orifice directed toward and along said treating space, said head member providing a tapered portion extending centrally into said pipe means and tapering inwardly and downwardly from a position adjacent said annulardischarge orifice to spread the stream 'flowing therein and guide said stream to said discharge orifice, said stream tending to move said head member away from said end wall; and means for exerting a resilient force on said head member tendingto oppose stream-induced motion of said head member -away from said end Wal1,"said resilient force being insufficient to prevent discharge of said stream but being'sufflcient to retain said head member close to said end wall to form a narrow annular stream issuing at high velocity from said annular discharge orifice and discharging into said treating space.

2. A combination as defined .in claim 1, in which said end wall is annular and is of larger diameter than said pipe means, and inv which said pipe means flares outward toward said end wall whereby the stream is guided between said tapered portion of said head member and said flared portion of said pipe means in moving toward said discharge orifice.

3. In combination in an electric treater: a pair of electrodes defining a treating space; pipe means extending to a position adjacent said treating space, said pipe'means providing an open-ended flared portion having an inner surface terminating in an end wall; a head member extending across said open-ended flared portion of said pipe means and providing a tapered portion extending axially into said flared portion Y of said pipe means, said tapered portion having a tapered outer surface terminating in a wail substantially parallel with and adapted to seat against said end wall of said ared portion; means ior mounting said head member tomove creasing the velocity `It produces somewhat more turbulence and mixaway from said flared portion to provide an an-A nular discharge orifice between said end wall of said flared portion and said wall of said head y member, said annular discharge orifice being directed to deliver an outwardly-flowing stream into and along said treating space, said tapered outer surface of said tapered portion cooperating with said inner surface of said flared portion to provide a stream-conducting passage which gradually decreases in cross-sectional area toward said annular discharge orifice; means for exerting a resilient force on said head member tending to move same toward said flared portion; and means for advancing along said pipe means under pressure a stream comprising oil and water, said stream tending to move said head member away from said flared portion. and said pressure being sufiicient to overcome said resilient force, said stream-conducting passage progressively inof f low of said stream toward said annular discharge oriiice for discharge from said orice into said treating space.

4. A combinationv as defined in claim 3, in which said walls of said tapered portion and said flared portion are substantially parabolic in shape in planes extending radially outward i rom the axis of said pipe means.

5. In combination in an velectric treating system for emulsions: electrode means defining an outward-extending treating space; and a distributor means for receiving an emulsion and di,-

' parallel walls defining an emulsion being slightly inclined upwardlyv -`bei' and to bring charging a stream thereof into and along said treating space, said distributor means providing upper and lower members including substantially discharge orifice, said walls with respect to the axis of said outward-extending treating space to discharge said emulsion into said treating space in an initial direction which is inclined upwardly by not more than four degrees from the axis of said outward-extending treating space.

6. In combination in an electric treating system for forming and resolving water-in-oil emulsions: a tank containing emulsion constituents comprising oil and water undergoing separation;

a pair of substantially horizontal electrodes spaced vertically from each other to define a treating space in said tank; a conduit extending into said tank; meansfor delivering a stream comprising oil and water to said conduit under Pressure; a mixing-type distributor means comprising a stationary member providing a passage communicating with said conduit to receive said stream comprising oil and water, and a movable member extending across said passage and providing a tapered portion extending into said passage to spread said stream, said members providing substantially parallel outwardly-extending Walls cooperating in defining a discharge orifice' receiving said spread stream for radial discharge thereof as a thin sheet into and along said. treating space; a spring means connected operatively to said members to exert a resilient force on said movable member tending to move same toward said stationary memsaid walls closer together to decrease the thickness of the radially-discharged stream and to exert on such stream a springmeans-controlled mixing action at the instant of discharge into said treating space; and means for adjusting the mixing action of said distributor means from a position outside said tank and during the time that A said stream is delivered thereto under pressure through said conduit, said partially within said passage and partially within said tank at a position beyond said passage.

8. In combination in an electric treating system for resolving water-in-oil emulsions: a tank containing emulsion constituents comprising voil and water undergoing separation; a pair of substantially horizontal electrodes spaced vertically from each other to dene a treating space in said tank; a conduit extending into said tank: means for delivering a stream comprising oil and water to said conduit under pressure; a distributor means comprising a stationary member providing a passage communicating with said conduit to receive said stream comprising oil and water, a movable member extending across said passage and providing a tapered portion piercing said stream to spread same progressively as it moves along said tapered portion, said members cooperating inffdeilning va discharge orifice receiving said spread stream and for discharging same as a thin sheet into and along said 'treating.fspace; la. rod extending from 'said movable member; a spring means; connection means for operatively connecting one end oi said spring means to said rod tov exert a resilient forcepn said rod tending to move said movable memfber towardsaid stationary member to decrease the size of said-discharge orifice and 'decrease the thickness and increase the velocity of said thin sheet discharged' into said treating space; and

means Operable rai: i?. position outside said tank and during the time that said stream -is deliv-` ered to said distributor means under pressure `through said conduit for adjusting the resilientA Y FRANCIS D. MAHoNE. 

